Press Release: WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker will make a home-country defense against England's Hughie Fury in Auckland, New Zealand at the Vector Arena on Saturday May 6th. The undefeated Fury, from Manchester, will travel to the other side of the world as he for a massive upset against the similarly unbeaten and big-hitting Parker. Fury aims to follow in the footsteps of his cousin Tyson Fury, who became the world heavyweight champion by defeating Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 (Tyson has since been stripped due to personal problems and inactivity].

The 22 year-old Fury, trained by his father Peter, has a record of 20 wins with 10 knockouts in a four-year career. His last fight was a win against Fred Kassi. Fury's amateur career culminated in winning Gold at the 2012 World Youth Championships - England’s first ever at super-heavyweight.

Parker became New Zealand’s inaugural heavyweight titlist when he won the vacant WBO crown in December, defeating the previously unbeaten Andy Ruiz Jr at the Vector Arena with a very tight points decision. The 25 year-old is certainly heavy-handed after winning 18 of his 22 fights by knockout in a near five-year career.

It will be the first time in history that a recognized world heavyweight title has been defended in New Zealand and Parker versus Fury is expected to become the biggest boxing event ever staged in the country.

Fury is not bothered with the hype and is fully focused on shaking the world up - just like Tyson - by defeating Parker, “I’m really looking forward to it and I just can’t wait! I feel great and I’ll be in the best shape my of life come fight night and you’ll see something special. It doesn’t matter what country the fight’s in, a boxing ring is a boxing ring to me, no matter where in the world. The result will be the same, a Hughie Fury victory and on May 6th you’ll be looking at the new WBO champion.”

Despite the enormity of the event, Peter Fury is confident that his son will rise against the odds and cause an upset. He said, “I see it as a very competitive fight between two of the best young heavyweights in the world today and the fans and media are certainly going to relish this one. Parker’s the World Champion and we’re going into his territory, but we’re fighting people through and through and this does not bother us. I see my son coming back home with the World Title.”

Mick Hennessy, CEO of Hennessy Sports, is backing his man to return home crowned the new WBO champion. He said, “Hughie is an exceptional talent who has been underestimated in his career. I know that the bigger the fight and the bigger the occasion, Hughie will rise to that challenge and Parker will bring out the very best in him. We’re under no illusions, this is a very hard test for Hughie, but I believe he will shine through.”